Visit Peak District & Derbyshire (VPD&D) has welcomed
news that the leading agency promoting the county's economic
prosperity is to support its first-ever Excel Tourism Awards - as
the shortlist of nominees is announced.
The Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DEP) has pledged
£5,000 - including sponsorship of two categories, Young
Manager of the Year and Team of the Year - towards the cost of
staging the awards at Chatsworth on Thursday March 4.
"This is excellent news - and a clear indication of just how
important tourism is to both the county's and region's economy,"
said David James, Chief Executive at VPD&D - the area's
official tourist board.
"The industry is worth around £1.4 billion a year and
employs more than 24,000 people in Derbyshire - so makes a key
contribution to the area's prosperity.
"We work in close partnership with our colleagues at the
Derbyshire Economic Partnership to promote economic development and
regeneration, and are delighted that they are able to offer their
support for our first-ever awards to reward people who work in the
local tourism industry.
"We are also extremely pleased to reveal that we received a
total of more than 70 entries - showing just how seriously
committed our tourism businesses are to achieving and rewarding
both quality and excellence within their workforce.
"Our independent panel of judges faced some tough decisions in
shortlisting the best entrants in each of the ten main categories,
but we're now looking forward to announcing the worthy winners on
what promises to be a rewarding and enjoyable evening for all
involved at Chatsworth on March 4."
Added Richard Horsley, Chair of DEP: "Derbyshire Economic
Partnership is delighted to support these exciting project awards.
Giving recognition to individuals for playing a positive role
within business is something which we are pleased to be a part of,
and we are delighted to sponsor the Young Manager and Team of the
Year awards."
Shortlisted nominees in each category are:
• Outstanding Customer Care: Dominic Ainsworth, East Lodge
Country House Hotel, Rowsley; Carly Montisci, The Maynard,
Grindleford; Trevor Willdig, Marriott Breadsall Priory,
Derby.
• Young Manager of the Year: Andrew Dear, Marriott
Breadsall Priory; Paul Kaye, Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath;
Charlotte Spivey, The Maynard.
• Most Promising Student: Tom Bates, University of Derby
Buxton; Emma Waring, The Maynard; Louise Whysall, The Old Hall
Hotel, Buxton.
• Most Promising Trainee: Chris Buckley, Monsal Head Hotel;
Alex Nicholson, The Maynard; Tim Turner, National Trust (Hardwick
Hall, near Chesterfield).
• Team of the Year: Buxton Festival; Friends of Heage
Windmill; Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath.
• Volunteer of the Year: Alan Barber, Crich Tramway
Village; Emma Waring, The Maynard; Linda Wilkins, The National
Trust.
• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism: Felicity Brown, Hoe
Grange Holidays, Brassington; John Coulson, English Heritage;
Louise Potter, No. 6 The Square Tea Room, Buxton.
• Unsung Hero: Elaine Blake, The Devonshire Arms, Beeley;
Brian Gammon, East Lodge Country House Hotel; Jane Hitchman, The
Maynard.
• Tourism Young Achiever: Oliver Brown, Bluebell Dairy Ltd,
Derby; Kerry Rawson, The Cathedral Quarter Hotel, Derby.
• Young Chef of the Year: Shortlist to be decided after a
'cook off' at the University of Derby Buxton on Friday February
26.
Main sponsor for the Excel Tourism Awards - which the tourist
board hopes will become an annual event - is Chatsworth. The Duke
and Duchess of Devonshire and Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of
Devonshire - who will celebrate her 90th birthday on March 31 - are
expected to join the tourist board as guests at the prestigious
event in the Carriage House Restaurant.
Other sponsors include the University of Derby Buxton, Derby
College, The Camping and Caravanning Club, The Derbyshire Times
Group of Newspapers, The Irongate Group, Sounds Commercial, The
Clear Black Wine Company and Charlotte's Chocolates.